The Schedule...

It has been 1 week since I implemented our new schedule and so far, things are pretty good! I don't feel like a slave to it, and I am actually getting a lot accomplished.
7:00 WAKE, coffee, personal Bible reading, shower, dress
8:00 start laundry, prepare breakfast
8:30 wake DC, BREAKFAST,
after breakfast: Mom- clean kitchen, switch laundry, and prepare for school, DS1- dress, ,morning chores, help get DS2 dressed, DS2 help with table chores, help with laundry, get dressed, quiet activity.
10:00- 12:00 SCHOOL (11:30 mom prepare lunch)
12:00- 12:30 LUNCH
12:30- 1:30 DC OUTSIDE, mom- chores
1:30- 2:00 READING (mom reads allowed)
2:00- 4:00 DS1- SCHOOL, DS2- NAP, mom- office time
4:00- 4:30 DS1 does flashcards with DS2
4:30- 5:15 DC OUTSIDE, mom- prepare supper
5:15- DS1 and DS2 set table
5:30- SUPPER
6:30- DC- FREE TIME, mom- clean kitchen
7:30- DC- BATHS (if needed), family time, put all laundry away
8:00- bedtime routine for DC
8:30- DC- BED,
10:00 mom and dad- BED

I don't schedule my babies, but DS3 gets nursed on demand and I either wear him for his naps or he gets put in his crib or swing. I think it is important that they learn to fall asleep in different places. His routine is nurse, play/awake, nurse, sleep. Repeat.

I do not schedule our Saturdays. We eat and sleep at the same times and I catch up on any cleaning that didn't get done during the week. We usually also have a family outing and/or fellowship with friends.

Sundays are spent mostly at church. We eat a quick breakfast like cereal, pb&j, toast, bagels, granola, or muffins (made the day before). We only eat 1 big meal, and it is always a roast in the crock pot. I pull out our clothes the night before and iron if needed. That way, things go a lot smoother for everyone in the morning. I also have the diaper bag packed the night before.
7:00 mom and dad wake, coffee, Bible reading, shower, dress
8:00 wake DC, morning routine/chores, dress,
8:30 eat breakfast, mom prepare lunch in crock pot
9:00 leave
2:00 get home from church, eat lunch, DC nap
5:00 get ready for church, eat snack
5:30 leave for church
9:00 get home, DC bed, mom cleans kitchen
10:00 mom and dad bed

We've had our Sunday schedule in place for a while, so nothing has changed there, except bed time.

Everything seems to flow nicely to the next activity. I think what has really helped me was adding Saturday to finish my chores, if needed. Then, I can focus on the main thing, which is schooling DS1 and DS2. With every other schedule I had, I always had everything revolve around housekeeping, so I always was struggling to get school done. But now, I have prioritized schooling above everything else and added Saturday to finish whatever housekeeping didn't get done during the week. It may seem weird that adding an extra day of "work" would make things easier, but it really has eased the burden of trying to get everything done Monday through Friday.

I grocery shop on Monday afternoons right after we finish eating, about 12:20. I try to be home before 2:00 so DS2 gets a good nap and DS1 has time to finish school. So, when i make my menu out for the week, I always have supper already planned for the following Monday, so I always have supper on hand for the night I go grocery shopping. I've also changed the way I menu plan, which I'll share in another post.

So, how is your schedule working out for you this school year?